Hull Stingrays 1-3 Nottingham Panthers
A 54 save effort from netminder Ben Bowns was not enough to help the Hull Stingrays to an unlikely victory over the Nottingham Panthers tonight at the Hull Arena as Corey Neilson's side powered themselves past Sylvain Cloutier's resilient side by three goals to one.
The Stingrays failed where fellow Gardiner Conference side the Edinburgh Capitals had earlier in the week triumphed by two goals to one, with a goal in each period sealing a thoroughly deserved performance by the visitors.
In truth though, it was a valiant effort from the Rays - who did all they could to overthrow the power, pace and depth of the big-spending league leaders.
Contrary to their first period against the Stingrays a week ago - after which they trailed 3-1 - Nottingham came out strongly firing 21 shots on Bowns in the Rays net.
While the Neilson's side were in the ascendancy for large part of the first period, the home side did have chances to open the scoring Jereme Tendler and Janis Ozolins guilty of missing the net and firing straight at Nottingham keeper Kowalski when presented with opportunities two-on-one.
A poor hit from the Panthers Bruce Graham on Stingray Sam Towner then set the tone for a chippy game after nine minutes - leaving Towner down on the ice injured. A melee ensued and Rays defenceman Jeff Smith stepped in and dropped the gloves with Graham - apparently, and crucially, after Cloutier had already moved in to challenge the Nottingham forward. The two rangy Canadian's tangled in a length fight with Smith undoubtedly coming out on top.
The incident saw Graham thrown out for boarding and Smith, surprisingly to some, handed a game penalty for third-man in after Cloutier's apparent presence. Towner left the game injured and would later return to the bench but played no further part.
Another fight was sparked eight mintutes later as Marc Levers upended a Stingray in a big way from low down much. Shane Lovdahl confronted the British forward who went down to the ice theatrically when pushed before David Ling stepped in for Nottingham and fought Lovdahl - finishing the better of the two in another spur of the moment fight.
Shortly after, the Panthers opened the scoring - Matt Francis with a relatively tame wrist shot that beat Bowns gloves side in what was perhaps the only blemish in another brilliant performance.
Nottingham applied even more pressure in the middle period, firing 23 shots on Bowns in the Hull goal and they doubled their lead thanks to debutant Kelsey Wilson - who had no trouble scrapping the puck home from close in after 35.46 despite calls for man in the crease from the Stingrays.
For all their dominance possession wise, in the shot count and physically, the Panthers lead remained a slender one heading into the third period.
The Stingrays needed an early boost in the third period and they got one just 53 seconds in through captain Kurtis Dulle - who bulleted home a shot in off the post after a lovely backhanded set-up from Matty Davies who, yet again, chose to pass when presented with a shooting chance.
The goal created some panic in the Nottingham ranks and the Rays enjoyed their best offensive spell in the ensuing moments as they attacked the Panthers straight from off. Kowalski was, for once, flustered as the Rays created, but didn't take, two chances to equalise.
After more than 40 minutes of what seemed like unrelenting pressure and physicality from the Panthers, they added a third of the night through David Ling on the powerplay with less than 13 minutes remaining to seal a relatively narrow but more than deserved victory.
The Panthers undoubted strength in depth was a huge factor in their win, their ability to be unrelenting and the lopsided 57-24 shot count in their favour. The Stingrays - who don't have the deepest roster at the best of times - had to deal with attack after attack, hit after hit and - with Cale Tanaka already sidelined, Smith thrown out and Towner, Tom Squires and Ryan Hand all sustaining niggles throughout the night - it proved too much.
The effort, commitment and application of every one of Cloutier's side this evening cannot be questioned. That said, the man advantage, unfortunately, again fell short - failing to convert on eight attempts this evening - and that, in itself, could have potentially changed the outcome of the game or at least claimed the Rays a valuable point.
It was a valiant effort from the Stingrays though and, in particular, netminder Bowns. They can, at least, take some confidence that the scoreline - despite the Panthers absolute dominance - remained so tight until the end.
A Challenge Cup Quarter Final against the Belfast Giants now awaits the Stingrays on Monday evening before a home tie against the Sheffield Steelers follows next weekend.
A 54 save effort from netminder Ben Bowns was not enough to help the Hull Stingrays to an unlikely victory over the Nottingham Panthers tonight at the Hull Arena as Corey Neilson's side powered themselves past Sylvain Cloutier's resilient side by three goals to one.
The Stingrays failed where fellow Gardiner Conference side the Edinburgh Capitals had earlier in the week triumphed by two goals to one, with a goal in each period sealing a thoroughly deserved performance by the visitors.
In truth though, it was a valiant effort from the Rays - who did all they could to overthrow the power, pace and depth of the big-spending league leaders.
Contrary to their first period against the Stingrays a week ago - after which they trailed 3-1 - Nottingham came out strongly firing 21 shots on Bowns in the Rays net.
While the Neilson's side were in the ascendancy for large part of the first period, the home side did have chances to open the scoring Jereme Tendler and Janis Ozolins guilty of missing the net and firing straight at Nottingham keeper Kowalski when presented with opportunities two-on-one.
A poor hit from the Panthers Bruce Graham on Stingray Sam Towner then set the tone for a chippy game after nine minutes - leaving Towner down on the ice injured. A melee ensued and Rays defenceman Jeff Smith stepped in and dropped the gloves with Graham - apparently, and crucially, after Cloutier had already moved in to challenge the Nottingham forward. The two rangy Canadian's tangled in a length fight with Smith undoubtedly coming out on top.
The incident saw Graham thrown out for boarding and Smith, surprisingly to some, handed a game penalty for third-man in after Cloutier's apparent presence. Towner left the game injured and would later return to the bench but played no further part.
Another fight was sparked eight mintutes later as Marc Levers upended a Stingray in a big way from low down much. Shane Lovdahl confronted the British forward who went down to the ice theatrically when pushed before David Ling stepped in for Nottingham and fought Lovdahl - finishing the better of the two in another spur of the moment fight.
Shortly after, the Panthers opened the scoring - Matt Francis with a relatively tame wrist shot that beat Bowns gloves side in what was perhaps the only blemish in another brilliant performance.
Nottingham applied even more pressure in the middle period, firing 23 shots on Bowns in the Hull goal and they doubled their lead thanks to debutant Kelsey Wilson - who had no trouble scrapping the puck home from close in after 35.46 despite calls for man in the crease from the Stingrays.
For all their dominance possession wise, in the shot count and physically, the Panthers lead remained a slender one heading into the third period.
The Stingrays needed an early boost in the third period and they got one just 53 seconds in through captain Kurtis Dulle - who bulleted home a shot in off the post after a lovely backhanded set-up from Matty Davies who, yet again, chose to pass when presented with a shooting chance.
The goal created some panic in the Nottingham ranks and the Rays enjoyed their best offensive spell in the ensuing moments as they attacked the Panthers straight from off. Kowalski was, for once, flustered as the Rays created, but didn't take, two chances to equalise.
After more than 40 minutes of what seemed like unrelenting pressure and physicality from the Panthers, they added a third of the night through David Ling on the powerplay with less than 13 minutes remaining to seal a relatively narrow but more than deserved victory.
The Panthers undoubted strength in depth was a huge factor in their win, their ability to be unrelenting and the lopsided 57-24 shot count in their favour. The Stingrays - who don't have the deepest roster at the best of times - had to deal with attack after attack, hit after hit and - with Cale Tanaka already sidelined, Smith thrown out and Towner, Tom Squires and Ryan Hand all sustaining niggles throughout the night - it proved too much.
The effort, commitment and application of every one of Cloutier's side this evening cannot be questioned. That said, the man advantage, unfortunately, again fell short - failing to convert on eight attempts this evening - and that, in itself, could have potentially changed the outcome of the game or at least claimed the Rays a valuable point.
It was a valiant effort from the Stingrays though and, in particular, netminder Bowns. They can, at least, take some confidence that the scoreline - despite the Panthers absolute dominance - remained so tight until the end.
A Challenge Cup Quarter Final against the Belfast Giants now awaits the Stingrays on Monday evening before a home tie against the Sheffield Steelers follows next weekend.
FBB Three Stars
1 - Ben Bowns
2 - Martin Ondrej
3 - Matty Davies
